In a newly-resurfaced video interview filmed in 2013, Italian director Bertolucci admits he felt guilty – but didn't regret – conspiring with actor Marlon Brando to simulate an assault on his on-screen love interest, played by then-19 year-old Maria Schneider, using butter as lubricant in the 1972 film.

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Revealing that he wanted Schneider's 'reaction as a girl, not as an actress', the director also revealed that he purposely omitted the detail from the script.

As a result, actors have come out to express their abhorrence at such cruel treatment of a young woman.

Wow. I will never look at this film, Bertolucci or Brando the same way again. This is beyond disgusting. I feel rage https://t.co/uvaLogvv7I

While the interview is currently causing outrage, it's hard to fathom how news of such disgusting and sexist treatment of a young actress wasn't acknowledged sooner, especially given that Schneider opened up about the non-consensual scene almost 10 years ago.

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In an interview with the Daily Mail in 2007, the actress spoke of the humiliation she'd felt due to the way Brando and Bertolucci conspired against her on set.

'They only told me about it before we had to film the scene and I was so angry. I should have called my agent or had my lawyer come to the set because you can't force someone to do something that isn't in the script but at the time, I didn't know that.'

'I felt humiliated and, to be honest, I felt a little raped, both by Marlon and Bertolucci,' she added.

For confidential and support about rape or sexual assault, contact the Rape Crisis helpline on 0808 802 9999 or visit Rape Crisis for more details.

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